Is Your Web Site Ready For Its Visitors?

There's a great interest among the Internet entrepreneurs about how to promote their business on the Web. There's always a quest for new and innovative ways of promotion that promise greater results at lower cost and in shorter time. Yet with all the efforts spent on promotion it's just amazing how many people totally ignore one basic question- is their website is worth of promoting it? With new computer technologies and high speed connections the new age on the Internet has arrived- the age that redefined the criteria of a successful web site, which satisfies demands of its visitors.

Content is the king.

That was the mantra of all web masters for a long time. Just show your visitors some interesting stuff, give them a better deal ? and your success is guaranteed. The truth is ? it doesn't work that way. The content alone cannot win you the hearts and minds of your potential customers. It's just a part - thought a very important one- of building your image on the Internet. You can say whatever you want about yourself on your web site: that your company provides the best services, the best expertise, the best?. whatever. But people won't buy it until you LOOK right to them. That is you look trustworthy and professional enough to believe you. And that's the point where we come to the importance of keeping your web site up to your customers' expectations.

Numbers don't lie

Your web site might not have changed for several years. But the Internet has been changing. The latest surveys show that people's online expectations have skyrocketed over the last few years and they're quick to reject any web site that doesn't keep up. Besides easy navigation and use, people want and expect a site to load quickly and to be visually appealing. If a web site doesn't meet their expectations, two-thirds of respondents say they don't return - now or ever. They'll visit you and leave and you'll never know.

What it means? Having a bad web site means loosing customers- plain and simple. When people see your web site in bad shape they assume that you ever don't care about your image or don't have money and resources to maintain it.

What is an effective web site?

A good web site should provide your visitors and potential clients with a unique experience and leave them with a lasting impression. In many ways people react to that the same way as meeting a person. Sometimes the first impression makes all the difference. Ask yourself- would you place an order via a web site that looks like its owners went out of business years ago? I guess you'll think twice before doing that?

It takes a lot of things to make a web site effective but here are some basics:

First a good design. Nice clean layout, good graphics work, color coordination. Everything is supposed to be in place and, no less important, in balance. Your visitors should be able to see the theme of your site, quickly identify its purpose and be enticed to stick around to find more about your company.

Your web site should also be informative. But don't think that more information is better. The word "informative" in that sense implies more "educational" than "descriptive". Educate your target audience about your company and its services- show them that you know about their problems and can offer an effective solution. Make your content easy to read and understandable. Don't overload your visitors with technical details or they won't read it at all.

Another important thing is navigation. Make it easy to understand. Some people get too fancy with that, which makes even experienced web surfers wonder how to get around their web site. Keep it simple and your web site's structure logical- so the visitors can easily go from A to B and access information they need.

Download time is also very important. As a general rule you have to make your web site load as fast as possible or your visitors will get tired and go somewhere else. However, it doesn't mean that your web site should be "graphics- depleted" or lack interactive features. To apply this rule correctly you should know your audience first. Ask yourself: if the majority of your visitors have broadband? Are they using current technologies? If they are, they may be looking for a richer online experience with high quality images, Flash animations, and multimedia elements.

There are a lot of other issues that you have to keep in mind like browser compatibility, and, of course, search engine optimization ? but we won't cover them right now.

What you can do to make your web site better.

Give your website a critical eye. Encourage your visitors to send you their comments and suggestions (at least you'll show that you care) Ask them what they value most. Compare your site to the web sites of your competitors.

Analyze the results. See what most people do and don't like about your web site. Think about how to enhance your strong points and to eliminate your deficiencies.

Find the solution. If you can improve your web site yourself- great! But don't overestimate your abilities. If you want an attractive, well designed site that stands out go to professionals- the people with experience and special knowledge in this field. Let them do that work while you can concentrate on the most important thing ?running your business.

If you decided to seek professional help, don't hurry and use your God given gift of common sense. Shop around, but don't necessary go for the lowest price. Price is a big factor, but not the only one. You don't want to end up with a cheap web site that you'll have to change again rather sooner than later. Before striking a deal, do your homework. Do your best to find out more about the web design company/ designer that you'll work with. First of all visit their web site- if you're not impressed, go away. If they can't do it right for themselves- how they can do it right for you? Second, ask them to show their portfolio- see what they can do for their clients. Third, don't be shy to ask for references. See if they work closely with clients and respond well to their requests.

And always remember- your website is the face of your company. Leaving it in bad shape can really damage your image and turn away many of perspective customers.

About The Author

Serge Gusarov is the founder of 1webimage.com - a web design and development company. He has experience in developing award winning web sites for companies in many industries. For more information and a free web site evaluation please visit www.1webimage.com. Serge can be reached via email: Serge@1webimage.com

In The News:

---

Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:08:09 GMT 'Wrestler' wins Golden Lion - Hollywood Reporter Hollywood Reporter 'Wrestler' wins Golden Lion Hollywood Reporter - 2 hours ago By Eric J. Lyman ROME - Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler," which set the Venice Lido abuzz after its world premiere Friday, won the festival's top prize Saturday. Video: Mickey Rourke Pinned in 'The Wrestler' AssociatedPress Will victory at the Venice Film Festival help 'The Wrestler' in ... Los Angeles Times Variety - Reuters - Monsters and Critics.com - Washington Post all 445 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:36:04 GMT 'Home: A Novel' by Marilynne Robinson - Los Angeles Times Washington Post 'Home: A Novel' by Marilynne Robinson Los Angeles Times - 1 hour ago Drawing on the characters of prize-winning novel 'Gilead,' Marilynne Robinson revisits an Iowa town. By Emily Barton UNLIKE novels that delight in plot twists and structural play, Marilynne Robinson's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Gilead" is seemingly ... Back at home, troubled siblings look for refuge Boston Globe Their Father's House Washington Post The Oregonian - OregonLive.com - Austin American-Statesman - News & Observer all 7 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:04:58 GMT Yes, the mosquitoes were nasty this summer - Yakima Herald-Republic Yes, the mosquitoes were nasty this summer Yakima Herald-Republic - 1 hour ago by Ross Courtney PROSSER - Cody Jansen sloshes through a pasture, his rubber boots squishing in muddy puddles as he goes. He dips a ladle into a tiny pool and looks closely. Rockland resisted West Nile virus query Lower Hudson Journal news Aerial survey being conducted to find mosquito breeding grounds San Jose Mercury News San Francisco Chronicle - Shelbyville News - Atlanta Journal Constitution - dBTechno all 362 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:47:33 GMT Tim Tebow leads Florida past Miami - Los Angeles Times OnlineSportsHandicapping.com Tim Tebow leads Florida past Miami Los Angeles Times - 1 hour ago * at No. 5 Florida 26, Miami 3: Tim Tebow threw two touchdown passes for the Gators (2-0), who ended a six-game losing streak against the Hurricanes with their first win in the on-again, off-again series since 1985. Tebow's maturity key to Gators' win over Canes - College Football ESPN Marve's debut gives Miami (Fla.) reason for hope SportingNews.com Orlando Sentinel - Seattle Post Intelligencer - CNN International - Independent Florida Alligator all 590 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:58:47 GMT Gates outacts Seinfeld in Back To The Future - CNET News Seattle Times Gates outacts Seinfeld in Back To The Future CNET News - 8 hours ago Which is why Crispin Porter Bogusky, the agency responsible for the otherworldly new Microsoft TV spot featuring the clowning Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld, is already happy. Microsoft's Renewed Vista Strategy PC World Journals week in review: news from One Microsoft Way Ars Technica InformationWeek - New York Times - MacMod - CRN all 522 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:01:52 GMT Sarah Palin may have women flocking - to Barack Obama - New York Daily News Times Online Sarah Palin may have women flocking - to Barack Obama New York Daily News - 13 hours ago BY KENNETH R. BAZINET and MICHAEL McAULIFF WASHINGTON - If John McCain wanted to poach the women's vote from Barack Obama, he shouldn't have tapped a running mate who dubbed herself a "pit bull with lipstick. Sarah Palin's appeal to working-class women may be limited Los Angeles Times A feminist's argument for McCain's VP San Francisco Chronicle Boston Globe - Newsweek - The Associated Press - Richmond Times Dispatch all 1,109 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:10:33 GMT Health Buzz: Immunosuppressive Drug Warning and Other Health News - U.S. News & World Report eFluxMedia Health Buzz: Immunosuppressive Drug Warning and Other Health News U.S. News & World Report - Sep 5, 2008 The Food and Drug Administration has asked the manufacturers of Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel, and Remicade—which belong to a class of medications known as tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers (TNF-alpha blockers)—to strengthen the warning for risk of fungal ... FDA urges more caution over TNF blocker infections Reuters Arthritis Drugs Linked to Risks From Infection New York Times WebMD - eFluxMedia - Scientific American all 622 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:23:08 GMT Clickbank Datafeed Get Paid for Surveys

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Excelling With Online Marketing

Do you want to build a successful online business?Then start... Read More

Getting Visitors To Stay Through Web Based Marketing

9/10 times your web site visitors won't stay for more... Read More

Avoid The Sharks

They hang around your web site. Not buying, just lurking.... Read More

How To Make Make Money From a Website

I've had numerous conversations with web entrepreneurs about this topic... Read More

10 Deadly Joint Venture Profit Killing Mistakes

1. Not sending out another mailingSending another mailing (to the... Read More

Seven Easy Steps to Boost Your Professional Image With Adobe

Often-overlooked commands can boost sales and project a more professional... Read More

Sell Your Product Online

In today's business world, if you're not selling your product... Read More

FSBO Upscale Manhattan Co-op -- Only Strongest Offers Entertained

Had I known in 1985 what I know now about... Read More

How to Earn at Least One Dollar for Every Website Visitor

The path toward success in Internet marketing can be a... Read More

Streamlining Internet Marketing

With each new Internet Marketing (IM) Guru, there comes a... Read More

Making Money out of Your First Effort

Have this phrase broken through your life at least once?... Read More

How to Track Online Marketing ROI Using Cost-Per-Action

Forget clicks, page views, and impressions; the only way to... Read More

Marketing Rapport - 3 Tips!

Establishing & maintaining rapport with your online audience is perhaps... Read More

An Internet Marketing Solutions Company Confesses

a) An internet marketing solutions company tells you that they're... Read More

Content, Content, Content.

Read any Internet marketing article, forum or tutorial these days... Read More

Online Sales: Sneaky Technique To Increase Your Online Sales Anytime

There are some smart and sneaky techniques that can help... Read More

Why Your Online Advertising Traffic Leaves as Soon as It Arrives

Online advertising traffic leaves when advertisers don't make it... Read More

Progress to Success

It was supposed to happen in thirty days. Buy the... Read More

Starting an Ad Campaign

Developing an ad Campaign for the Startup E-businessOnline advertising has... Read More

Make Your Real Estate Website Visible!

So, you've created a Website to highlight your realty services... Read More

The Psychology of Online Selling

Why do we buy things? Well, some thing are out... Read More

Two Good Marketing Ideas - One of Them Great!

Last week, I wrote my first marketing/list building article. Could... Read More

Internet Profits Revealed: The Simple Philosophy that Works

Why is profiting on the Internet so hard for most... Read More

The REAL Secret to Building A High-Profit Internet Business

My wife laughs every time she sees me doing it.At... Read More

Book Yourself Solid Key Number 2: Choose Your Ideal Clients

The Book Yourself Solid article series continues withKey Number 2:... Read More